Afghan taxi drivers build low-cost coolers for cabs to survive the heat

Amid a scorching heatwave sweeping across Afghanistan, taxi drivers in Kandahar have devised an innovative way to stay cool behind the wheel.

Temperatures in Kandahar have soared past 40°C, causing many vehicle air conditioners to malfunction under the intense heat. This has left taxi drivers, who spend long hours on the road, struggling to cope with the sweltering conditions.

In response, a growing number of taxis in Kandahar can now be seen equipped with plastic containers and exhaust pipes installed on their roofs, homemade air coolers built by the drivers themselves.

One local taxi driver explained to a news agency that these improvised coolers work more efficiently than traditional air conditioners. “This device circulates cool air throughout the car,” he said, proudly showing the custom-made setup.

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A driver from Kandahar, Gul Mohammad shared that the high cost of repairing AC systems pushed him to seek alternatives. He said that ACs cost 3,000 Afghanis (around $43), and he just need to fill it with water twice a day, it cools the entire car.

Passengers have also lauded the initiative, and appreciated the comfort provided by the low-cost solution.

Meanwhile, Afghan authorities have issued warnings that temperatures are expected to rise further in the coming weeks, urging citizens to take precautions.

Climate experts continue to warn that Afghanistan remains highly vulnerable to the worsening impacts of climate change, which threaten to deepen the country’s ongoing humanitarian crisis.